HOMILY OF 16TH FRIDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: CELEBRATING ST. JAMES
BY: Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA
2 Cor 4:7-15; Psalm 125(126):1-6; Matt 20:20-28
Introduction
My dear friends in Christ,
Today we celebrate Saint James the Apostle, an important leader in the early Church. Like all of us, he had to learn what it truly means to follow Jesus. Our Liturgical readings today teach us a lot about the path James walked, and the path we are all called to walk.
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Treasure in Clay Jars
In our first reading, Saint Paul talks about something amazing: “We have this treasure in jars of clay.” Imagine that! We are just simple, fragile human beings, like clay pots. But inside us, we carry something incredibly precious: God’s grace, the very life of Christ. Paul then lists all the hard times he and his friends went through: “afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”
This was the tough reality for the first apostles, and certainly for Saint James. He faced people against him, misunderstandings, and eventually, he was killed for his faith. But through all this, the power wasn’t his own; it was God’s. It was God’s light shining through his weaknesses, God’s strength made perfect when he was weak.
Drinking the Cup
This idea is shown clearly in our Gospel reading. James and John’s mother came to Jesus with a big request. She wanted her sons to have important seats next to Jesus in His kingdom. This shows their very human desire for fame and power.
But Jesus, in His great wisdom, gently corrected them. He asked, “Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” Then, He told them, “My cup you will indeed drink.”
James, along with John, would indeed drink that cup. For James, it meant becoming a martyr, the first apostle to die for Christ. He wouldn’t sit on an earthly throne of power, but he would share in the suffering of his Lord. Jesus went on to explain, “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
True Greatness is Service
This is the deep lesson for James, and for all of us. True greatness in God’s kingdom isn’t about power or fame. It’s about humble service. It’s about carrying our own crosses every day and following Jesus, even if it means pain and sacrifice. Just as Jesus gave up everything to become a servant, we are also called to give of ourselves for others.
Saint James, who might have started with earthly ambitions, eventually understood this divine truth. He embraced being a “jar of clay,” letting God’s power work through his human weaknesses. He drank the cup of Christ, not for worldly glory, but out of loving obedience and giving himself completely.
Our Call to Serve
Today, as we honor Saint James, let’s think about our own journey of faith. Are we, like James and John at first, looking for comfort or recognition in our faith? Or are we willing to live out this amazing truth: that our strength comes from our weakness, and our greatness comes from our service?
The world constantly tells us to chase power and personal gain. But Jesus’ message calls us to a different path: a path of humility, service, and self-sacrifice. This path might bring challenges and suffering, but it’s also the path to real joy, lasting peace, and eternal life.
Conclusion
May the example of Saint James inspire us to be faithful “jars of clay,” allowing God’s great power to shine through us. Not for our own glory, but for the glory of Jesus, who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life for many.
Saint James the Apostle! Pray For Us!
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